Hockey given step-motherly treatment: Balbir

Holding that there was enormous hockey talent in the country, Olympian Balbir Singh (Sr) today said that the game had suffered due to step-motherly treatment given to it by the authorities over the years.

Holding that there was enormous hockey talent in the country, Olympian Balbir Singh (Sr) today said that the game had suffered due to step-motherly treatment given to it by the authorities over the years.

"Indian Hockey has gone down over the years. The game got step-motherly treatment at the hands of hockey administrators," the hockey legend told reporters here after flagging off a programme called "Pass the Josh" to promote the hockey World Cup in New Delhi.

"The administrators of hockey had miserably failed in marketing the game. There are no sponsors as well," he added.

Seeking financial support for the Indian hockey players, Balbir exuded confidence that the profile of the game willrise again in the country.

"I am confident that a day will come when hockey will regain its lost glory," he said.

Former India player Gagan Ajit Singh said the current team has a good balance.

"Players of the likes of Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Sandeep Singh are capable of turning the tables at anytime," he said.

He said that the controversies pertaining to hockey were over and the players are fully focused to deliver their bestin the World Cup.